Rehman Malik announces USD 1 mn bounty on attacker of Pak girl

Oct 16, 2012, 10:24 IST
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Agencies

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik has announced a USD one million bounty on the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban blamed for the attack on teenage rights activist Malala Yousufzai, as he claimed that the plan was hatched in Afghansitan

"This conspiracy assassination plan was made across the border in Afghanistan. Of course, Mullah Fazlullah, who had fled away when we took action in Malakand Swat. And this was transpired there; four people came from there," Malik told the CNN in an interview.

"At that point of time, we did not do exactly know what it was their objective and what kind of action they were going to take, till such time they had hit Malala. Of course, one other guy we have identified and few of his associates have been arrested," he said, adding that one of the financers of one of the terrorists have been detained. Malik announced USD 1 million as bounty for the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan who claimed that TTP was responsible for her shooting.

"On his head, which is more than, you know, (inaudible) of Pakistani, 100 million apiece, because we want to definitely get him and all our line forces, intelligence agencies are hunting all those who were involved." he said.

The top Pakistani official also asserted that Pakistan us taking strong action against extremist and terrorist in the country.

"Let me assure that the military leadership and ofcourse, the civil leadership will take action at appropriate time. But at the same time, the action based on intelligence are continuing. But the good thing what I can tell on behalf of the people of Pakistan, people of Pakistan do not want Taliban. They do not want extremism," Malik said.

"Let me tell you we must know that Pakistan is fighting a war, a war which was imposed on Pakistan," he said.

"We have lost 40,000 innocent people, 16,000 line forces, fighting is a big sacrifice that when we take responsibility, this happened only because we have accepted responsibility to fight against terrorism, not only for Pakistan but for the entire world, because we want to see the terrorism free world," he said.

"And of course, it is the mindset. The mindset which you have seen and the assassination attempt on Malala shows the intent of the terrorists. Terrorists want their way of life. Of course, there's no blame game.

Whatever Pakistan is facing from across the border, that is coming and not really news, but we feel the attack every day," Malik said in response to a question.